Watford Grammar School for Boys

This is an academy boys' single sex secondary school. Specialist status: Science and Languages.

 Please note: If you are applying under a 'distance to school rule' (Rules 2 or 6), put Rule 2 into the Calculator. 

The distance of ALL applicants are measured and placed in order. Rule 2 is the initial 10% of places that are offered. Rule 6 Distance places are offered if there are any places left at the end of allocations. The school returns to the distance list and continues to work down it.

Children were admitted under rules 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 which do not relate to distance (siblings, staff and aptitude tests). 

If you are applying under Rule 7 or 8, don't use the Calculator. Factors such as musical aptitude, academic ability and postcodes are more important than how far away you live from the school - and the variables are too complex for the Calculator to predict your chances. Please contact the school instead.

The school will designate 123 places (65% of the whole) as Community Places and 67 places (35% of the whole) as Specialist Places.  

COMMUNITY PLACES

Rule 1. Looked After Children See school's website for more details and definitions. 

 Rule 2. Applicants whose permanent home address is nearest to the school and would not be allocated a place under any other criterion (22 places, 10% of the total admissions). 

Rule 3. Applicants who are children of a parent who is a permanent member of the school staff (as defined in the Admissions Code). 

Rule 4. Applicants with a brother enrolled at the school, excluding brothers who first entered the school in the Sixth Form (Year 12 or Year 13). 

Rule 5. Applicants with a sister enrolled at Watford Grammar School for Girls, excluding sisters who first entered the school in the Sixth Form (Year 12 or Year 13). 

Rule 6. Places will then be allocated to applicants living closest to the school.

SPECIALIST PLACES (60% to Watford area, 40% rest of admission area)

Rule 7. Applicants selected on the basis of aptitude for music as measured by the school's assessment procedures (22 places, 10% of total admissions).

Rule 8. Applicants selected by academic ability as measured by the school’s assessment procedures, in merit order (56 places, 25% of total admissions)  

Tiebreaker: priority will be given to be given to Children Looked After and to those whose permanent home address lies within the school’s Admission Area.     

EXTRA STUFF TO MAKE YOUR HEAD HURT

SchoolGuru note: Let's face it, these rules are complex. Please refer to the school's website to see the information in full - and do ask them for an assessment of your chances if you're finding it tricky to work it all out (if so... who could blame you?!). 

(i) The Admission Area comprises the Watford Area and the Rest of the Admission Area as defined in this note. The Watford Area comprises postcode sectors:  WD17 1 to 4 WD18 0, 6 to 9 WD19 4 to 7WD23 1 to 7 and 9 WD24 4 to 7 and 9 WD25 0, 5, 7 to 9 WD3 3

The postcodes in each area are not listed in priority order. All postcodes are treated equally within each area unless there is a need to operate the tie break.   

The Rest of the Admission Area comprises postcode sectors WD3 1, 4 to 9 WD4 8 and 9 WD5 0 WD6 3WD7 7 and 8 HA3 6 HA5 1 to 5 HA6 1 to 3 HA7 3 and 4 and the permanent home address of applicants from outside the Admission Area validly applying under criterion 3 or 4.  

(ii) In applying these admission arrangements, ‘permanent home address’ will be defined as the permanent place of residence of the parent with whom the applicant spends the majority of his time. The home address must be the address where the applicant is living at the time of application and before the closing date for applications.

Where parents/carers share responsibility for part of the week, then both home addresses must be quoted. The school may check the authenticity of the address stated. Proof of residence or further information may be requested and must be provided. 

If the main address has changed temporarily, for example where a family is renting a property on a Short Term Tenancy Agreement (12 months or under), then the parental address remains that at which the parent was resident before the period of temporary residence began unless it can be shown that all ties to the previous address have been relinquished, or that the move is not easily reversible. The Governors may refuse to base an allocation on an address which might be considered only a temporary address.  

Applicants will have to indicate which criterion or criteria within the community and/or specialist places they are applying for.   

Except for those applying under criterion 1, 3 or 4, all applicants are strongly recommended to apply for both a Community Place and a Specialist Place and to sit the school’s admissions test provided for in criterion 8.  

For the purpose of applying the Specialist criteria, the admission area will be divided into two separate areas (the Watford Area and the Rest of the Admission Area) and applicants will be placed in one of them according to the location of their permanent home address. The school will reserve 40 specialist places (60% of the total specialist places) for applicants whose permanent home address lies within the Watford Area. In the event of more than 40 such applications, priority amongst them will be given according to these admission arrangements and criteria. The school will reserve 27 specialist places (40% of the total specialist places) for applicants whose permanent home address lies within the Rest of the Admission Area. In the event of more than such applications, priority amongst them will be given according to these admission arrangements and criteria. If fewer places than the number reserved are accepted by applicants from an Area, the balance will be added to the places reserved for applicants from the other Area.

For the purpose of applying the Community criteria, the admission area will be treated as a single area.  

Any child with a statement of special educational needs, that names the school, will be offered a place (because that’s the law!).

Appeals

If you want to appeal for Watford Grammar School for Boys we suggest you buy our School Appeals Guide, and read our school appeal tips.

A third of all parents will win their appeal – so isn't it worth your best shot? Our invaluable guides will help you through the next few months, holding your hand, every step of the way.